Phoenix Laminate Flooring
A hard-wearing wood look at a lower cost, floated over a moisture barrier on a slab that has been checked and flattened.
Laminate flooring installation is a smart pick when you want a wood look on a tighter budget. Laminate has a high-density fiberboard core with a photographic wood layer and a tough clear wear layer on top. That wear layer is very hard, so laminate stands up well to scratches from pets, chairs and grit.
Laminate is not the same as vinyl plank. The core is wood-based, so water is its weakness. Newer water-resistant lines handle spills better, but laminate still belongs in living rooms, bedrooms and offices more than in laundry rooms or bathrooms.
A scratch-resistant wood look for the busiest rooms in the house.
A firm surface for desk chairs and furniture, at a lower cost than hardwood.
Durable and quick to install, which keeps turnover time short.
Lines with sealed edges and treated cores for homes that want a little more protection against spills.
| Feature | Laminate | LVP |
|---|---|---|
| Scratch resistance | Very high (hard wear layer) | Good |
| Water | Spills only; avoid wet rooms | Waterproof core |
| Feel and sound | Firmer, can sound hollow without good underlayment | Softer, quieter |
| Look | Sharp wood detail, real-looking texture | Wide range of styles |
If you mostly worry about scratches, laminate is a strong value. If you mostly worry about water, LVP is the better fit.
A barrier between the slab and the laminate protects the wood-based core from moisture coming up through the concrete.
A quality underlayment cuts the hollow sound laminate can make and smooths out minor imperfections.
Laminate is a floating floor. A flat slab keeps the locking joints from flexing and separating.
Gaps at the walls, hidden by baseboard, let the floor move through the year.
Laminate installation cost depends on the product, the square footage and how much prep the floor needs. Pulling carpet is quick; removing tile and grinding thinset is more work. Underlayment quality, stairs and transitions also affect the total.
Your written estimate breaks out material, removal, prep and installation so you can compare options side by side.
Looking for a durable wood look without the hardwood price? Tell us about your rooms.
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We measure the rooms and help you compare laminate lines.
Old flooring comes out and the slab is flattened.
Moisture barrier and underlayment go down, then the laminate.
Baseboards, quarter round and transitions are installed.
Yes, in dry rooms. It handles grit and pets well and costs less than hardwood. Keep it out of bathrooms and laundry rooms.
Often, if the tile is flat and solid. Deep grout lines may need to be filled first, and the added height has to work at doors.
It depends on the product's wear rating and how the floor is used. A higher AC rating holds up better in busy rooms.
No. Laminate has a wood-fiber core and a very hard wear layer. LVP has a vinyl or composite core that is waterproof.